HoWiCo
Who We Are
Since 2000,
Operating in Cameroon.
We are committed to bringing a holistic transformational change in the lives of widows, orphans; and the community.
Driven by God’s call in James 1:27, HoWiCo is a community faith-based Organization (Ministry), committed to bringing a holistic transformational change in the deplorable living conditions of widows and orphans in many parts of Cameroon, where cultural indifference after the death of a husband leads to denial of inheritance rights and remarriage; abandonment; sexual harassment; social exclusion and economic hardship.
We also seek to change archaic customs that keep women and widows in bondage; and teach the church and others to do same.
Hope for Widows and the Community
The Ministry was founded in 2000, as Hope for the Widows Ministries (HWM) and later evolved to Hope for the Widows and Orphans Ministries (HWOM) when the orphans sponsorship programme was added to the Ministry.
It has grown over the years to its second phase as from 2017 where it has included networking with churches to remind them that the care for widows is a Biblical mandate for the church; and empowering them through capacity building seminars to become more intentional about their responsibility. They are encouraged and triggered to institute holistic and practical ministries to widows and orphans in their local churches.
With this approach, the local church will not only help the widows and orphans in their midst, but use it as an evangelistic tool to reach out to the widows, orphans and other needy people in the community where they are situated. The use of this approach, more will be achieved than any single Organization can do. This has again changed the name of our Ministry to “Hope for Widows and the Community” (HoWiCo).
As each local church takes care of the widows in her midst, while teaching her congregational members to do same in their families and communities, the number of widows with unmet needs will be greatly reduced.
HoWiCo
Our Vision
HoWiCo envisions a compassionate, discrimination-free world where widows and orphans are given proper treatment and assisted to live decent and fulfilled lives.
Our Mission
HoWiCo operates through a 3-fold mission:
- Bringing holistic transformational change to widows and the community.
- Empowering local churches to care for widows in their midst and community as a biblical mandate.
- Raising community awareness, advocating and challenging the status quo.
HoWiCo
Our Vision
HoWiCo envisions a compassionate, discrimination-free world where widows and orphans are given proper treatment and assisted to live decent and fulfilled lives.
Our Mission
HoWiCo operates through a 3-fold mission:
- Bringing holistic transformational change to widows and the community.
- Empowering local churches to care for widows in their midst and community as a biblical mandate.
- Raising community awareness, advocating and challenging the status quo.
Our Core Values
Raising community awareness, advocating and challenging the status quo.
About the Founders
Mirabelle Karawa is a social operator with a heart for orphans and widows. Since 2000, she has led Hope for the Widows and Orphans Ministry now Hope for Widows and the Community (HoWiCo) a God-given vision to provide material assistance, economic empowerment and psychosocial care to widows and orphans in Cameroon.
The ministry has grown over the years to its second phase as from 2017 where it is now networking with churches and encouraging the institution of a holistic and practical ministry to widows and orphans in every local church. Being an orphan herself who suffered a great deal in her early years before benefiting from assistance, Mirabelle has developed a deep passion working with the despondent to give them hope for a delightful future.
Her radio program; “Voice of Hope” and her educative talks on, “Building Healthy Families” have been a source of inspiration to many in and beyond the communities she serves. Cameroonian of North West origin, Mirabelle is a graduate from Sunshine Bible College, Sayreville, New Jersey, USA in Biblical Studies and Creation Therapy.
She also holds from Holland a post graduate diploma in Agricultural Extension and Women studies and has worked for several years with Agricultural Research and Extension in various capacities in both Yaoundé and Bamenda, Cameroon. Mirabelle is also member of Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling, USA. She is holder of a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from LEAD Higher Institute, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Mirabelle is happily married to Pastor Samuel Karawa who assists her in the outreaches. Samuel is a holder of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Diploma in Theology. He is a retired civil servant who has headed major Para-state institutions, government financial services both at national and regional levels. They have been blessed with three children – Chantal, Kevin and Nina, and nine grandchildren –Kayla, Joel and Ethan; Ian, Imani, and Iverson; Nathan, Nolan and Abigail.
She is the author of a renown resource book, “WIDOWHOOD AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT- Resolving Widow and Orphan Crises” published in 2015
About The Co-Founder
Rose Siben, a retired teacher has served with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Secondary Schools for many years. She is a woman who loves the Lord and after the death of her husband, she dedicated her life to serve the Lord.
A year after the inception of Hope for the Widows and Orphans Ministries, now Hope for Widows and the Community (HoWiCo), she joined the Ministry in their outreach programmes whenever she was chanced until now that she is on retirement.
Rose’s widowhood journey and her experience as chaplain for 10 years has helped her to be a great encourager and counselor for the widows and orphans.
She is a mother of three and a grandmother of three.
